MONDAY September 10, 2018
THE DAILY ILLINI
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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM
Vol. 148 Issue 5
BERCHAM KAMBER THE DAILY ILLINI
Former President Barack Obama speaks to students, faculty and community members on Friday in Foellinger Auditorium. He came to campus to accept the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government.
Speech recap Denounced Republican tax reform
Obama urges students to vote, addresses current issues national, regardless of political affiliation. NEWS EDITOR AND MANAGING EDITOR FOR REPORTING “You can be the generation that, at a critical Former President Barack Obama urged stu- moment, stood up,” he said. “I believe in you.” dents to vote in the upcoming midterm elecAudrey Dombro, junior in ACES and prestions during his speech on Friday at Foellinger ident of Illini Democrats, said hearing the Auditorium. speech and hearing how students can make a Obama came to the University to accept difference puts things in perspective, and she the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in said she hopes it encourages students to vote. Government. “Since President Trump was elected, I “As a citizen, I am here to deliver a simple think Obama has been a little bit more vague message, and that is you need to vote because about his criticisms, but this speech took it our democracy depends on it,” he said. full force,” she said. “He called a lot of people Obama took the stage at 11:05 a.m., after and attitudes out, which was extremely valubeing introduced by Amaury Saulsber- able, especially in this college campus area ry, senior in FAA and winner of the Illinois where our voter turnout makes such a huge Promise scholarship. This award is given to difference.” high-achieving students from low-income Nikolay Penchev, senior in LAS, was one of backgrounds. Obama engaged the crowd by the 944 students across the University Syschanting “I-L-L” and saytem who got tickets to see ing it was good to be home. the speech in person. He He also addressed “the said Obama is one of the “Do not let people tell elephant in the room,” greatest speakers alive speaking about his choice right now, and any chance you the fight’s not worth to decline the invitation to listen to someone like to be the commencement that speak is always a good it because you won’t get speaker at the University time. in 2017. “I was really lucky to get everything that you want.” “I know people are still a pretty good seat; it was BARACK OBAMA wondering why I didn’t pretty close to the front. speak at the 2017 com- FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES People always say when mencement,” he said. “The you’re around powerful truth is, after eight years in figures, they kind of radithe White House, I wanted to spend some time ate this aura, they kind of command your ... with Michelle, if I wanted to stay married.” respect, and I think that was definitely the The former president then addressed serious case in Foellinger today,” Penchev said. “No issues relating to the current administration. matter where you were sitting, he just radi“A glance at recent headlines should tell ates confidence.” you this moment really is different,” he said. Penchev said he feels he grew up with “The consequences of us sitting on the side- Obama, as he was around 11 years old when lines are dire.” Obama was first elected in 2008. Obama talked about the widening division “I definitely felt like I need to listen to what in the country between different belief sys- this man is saying,” he said. “I definitely am tems, but he noted these issues existed before going to go out and vote, because if Obama current President Donald Trump was elected tells you to vote, you gotta vote.” in 2016. “He is a symptom, not a cause,” Obama said. news@dailyillini.com Obama addressed the students directly by remarking that the younger generation has Editor’s note: Therese Pokorney contributed to the power to make a difference in society by the report. Illini Republicans did not respond for participating in all elections, both local and comments at the time of publication. BY KAREN LIU AND GILLIAN DUNLOP
Condemned tightening voting requirements Criticized the American Health Care Act Discouraged the rejection of climate change and withdrawal from Paris Agreement Defended the freedom of the press Questioned the Trump administration’s relationships with foreign dictators Reprehended immigration policies Promoted stronger roles for women in workplaces Encouraged higher voter turnout rate in younger age groups
Obama’s speech excites campus
What life is like with liberal arts
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9 a.m. Students started entering Foellinger Auditorium 10:30 a.m. Obama entered the building through the back door 11 a.m. University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen took the stage 11:02 a.m. Amaury Saulsberry introduced Obama 11:05 a.m. Obama started his speech 11:11 a.m. “You need to vote because our democracy depends on it.” — Barack Obama 11:21 a.m. “He’s a symptom, not a cause.” — Barack Obama 12:10 p.m. End of speech 2 p.m. Obama visited Caffe Paradiso
Volleyball rolls through competition
Post-punk band talks new EP
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